The Friday night before the race, Doc Smith tells Willy how foolish she thinks he is for using his college fund to enter the race, but she encourages him to win, nonetheless. Grandfather runs out of medicine, and Doc Smith sends Willy to fetch some from Lester. Doc Smith sends Willy on his way with some cinnamon cake. Searchlight pulls Willy on the sled into town, where he picks up his Grandfather’s medicine. Lester is kind to Willy and wishes him luck in the race. 

On the way out of town, Willy sees Stone Fox’s Samoyed in an old barn. Willy loves dogs and cannot resist reaching out to pet them. Before he can, however, Stone Fox hits Willy in the face. Willy apologizes, telling him that he did not mean any harm. Willy tells Stone Fox why he has to win and why he is going to beat him. Willy is genuinely sorry that they both cannot win. After Willy leaves, Stone Fox gently pets his dogs. Willy’s eye hurts him that night, and both he and Searchlight are unable to sleep.